Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec 2018
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spirits
Wine & -
Enthusiast
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec is a dark violet Malbec. Ripe black-and-red currant, raspberries and an elegant touch of french oak are some of the aromas that we can appreciate from this special malbec from one of the Catena's highest family vineyards. Very complex and expressive palate, with a creamy violet flavor witih ripe blueberries, cassis, vanilla and spicecake.
Pairs well with roasted veal, shiitake mushrooms, and beef tenderloin.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard, from a vineyard planted in Altamira in 1996 from an old massal selection, has contained ripeness, reflecting the less warm vintage (after 2017). The grapes were picked very early but with good ripeness because of the low yields in a very dry year. It fermented in open-top barrels with 100% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in 500-liter oak barrels. It's a balanced and elegant Malbec with some restraint and a very fine thread in the palate, with really fine tannins. It follows the path of the phenomenal 2017, fine and elegant.
-
James Suckling
This is rich and decadent with crushed berries, light chocolate, meat and blueberries. Full body, polished and chewy tannins and an extremely long, flavorful finish. Fresh and beautiful. Love the coolness to the flavors here. Drink or hold.
-
Wine & Spirits
Nicolás Catena planted this vineyard in La Consulta in 1996, with vines selected from his family’s 80-year-old Angelica Vineyard in Lunlunta. At 3,600 feet in altitude, Nicasia is considerably higher and cooler than Lunlunta (the average temperature is below 58°F); the massal selection is planted on its own roots. Those vines yielded a fresh, concentrated wine in 2018: It’s super youthful, a jumble of red fruit, oak and spice right out of the bottle, bold and boisterous in its energy. As it takes on air in the glass, the wood tones melt into the fruit, the wine becoming more savory while the flavors keep juicing up—floral, herbal, smoky, earthy, salty. Fine tannins give it shape and hold the flavors fresh for days after the bottle is opened.
-
Wine Enthusiast
The nose is aromatic, opening with thyme, plum and dark chocolate. Coming from Paraje Altamira, this wine presents the character of the region, featuring vibrant acidity and mineral texture. Herbaceous notes blend with tobacco and chocolate on the juicy palate. It's well structured and offers subtle notes of plum and cherry in the finish. It's elegant, promising and complex.
Editors' Choice
Other Vintages
2020-
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine -
Spirits
Wine &
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Panel
Tasting -
Suckling
James
-
Parker
Robert - Decanter
-
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Wong
Wilfred -
Spirits
Wine & -
Enthusiast
Wine
- Decanter
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spirits
Wine &
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert
Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's high altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza's mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to exprot a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family's high altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family's vineyards and palate.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
With a winning combination of cool weather, high elevation and well-draining alluvial soils, it is no surprise that Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in Argentina. Healthy, easy-to-manage vines produce low yields of high-quality fruit, which in turn create flavorful, full-bodied wines with generous acidity.
This is the source of some of the best Malbec in Mendoza, which can range from value-priced to ultra-premium. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay also perform well here.